Gallium nitrate and spinal cord injury. A pilot study of efficacy using an experimental model

Gallium (Ga) nitrate has been shown to attenuate immune-mediated tissue destruction in models of neurological autoimmunity. Based upon these observations, we evaluated the efficacy of Ga nitrate in attenuating the inflammatory response and modifying clinical recovery in an experimental model of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 12 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats received injections of either Ga nitrate (n = 8) or saline (n = 4) following experimental SCI. Ga treated animals received 30 mg/kg elemental Ga followed by weekly injections of 10 mg/kg elemental Ga. There were no observable differences between the Ga treated and the saline control groups using various behavioral paradigms examined during the study period. Histological and immunocytochemical data qualitatively showed no observable differences between Ga treated (n = 4) and control (n = 2) groups sacrificed 18 days following SCI. Although the efficacy of Ga in this pilot study of experimental SCI was not demonstrated, the potential of Ga to attenuate inflammatory-mediated reactions remains an exciting possibility in the area of SCI. Our preliminary results should not discourage future research endeavors in this regard. A more complete analysis of dose response, time and mode of Ga administration (preinjury or postinjury), and availability of Ga across the blood-brain barrier is needed to further evaluate the efficacy of this compound.